Bhagalpur: Stone-pelting incidents continue to plague the Vande Bharat Express in Bihar, raising serious concerns about railway security. On Monday evening around 5:30 pm, miscreants hurled stones at the Bhagalpur-Howrah Vande Bharat Express near Bihpur station in the Naugachhia area, damaging the glass of one of the train’s coaches.
Following the incident, police teams from three nearby police stations rushed to the spot. Investigations are underway, with CCTV footage from the vicinity being examined to identify the culprits. Railway officials have assured that strict legal action will be taken once the accused are apprehended.
This is not the first time the Vande Bharat Express has been targeted. A few days ago, a similar stone-pelting incident was reported near Puraini Halt in Bhagalpur. Repeated attacks have sparked widespread concern among passengers and authorities, questioning the effectiveness of current railway security measures.
Railway Officials Warn of Strict Action
Officials from the Malda Division of Eastern Railway have reiterated that vandalizing railway property is a punishable offence. “Government property is public property. Damaging it harms the public itself. Strict action will be taken against those responsible,” the DRM of Malda Division had earlier stated following previous incidents.
Previous Major Stone-Pelting Incidents on Vande Bharat Trains in Bihar:
- January 20, 2023: Stones were thrown at the New Jalpaiguri-Howrah Vande Bharat Express between Dalkhola-Telta stations in Katihar district, breaking the window glass of coach number 6.
- September 11, 2024: During a trial run in Gaya, stones were pelted at a Vande Bharat train, shattering the window glass near the second coach, although no passengers were on board.
- April 14, 2025: The Bhagalpur-Howrah Vande Bharat Express was attacked near Hatpurani Halt, damaging windows of coach C2, specifically seats 53 and 54.
Security Measures Under Scrutiny
The frequency of such incidents is now raising serious questions about the security arrangements for premium trains like the Vande Bharat Express in Bihar. Officials have promised heightened vigilance, but passengers continue to worry about their safety during travel.
Authorities have appealed to the public to treat government infrastructure responsibly and have urged anyone with information to assist in identifying the perpetrators.
